Customised systems thanks to Competent advice right from the start - High development competence for automated processes
With its decades of experience, DALEX GmbH has made a name for itself as a development partner for the automation of processes and the construction of highly complex manufacturing cells in numerous industries, such as the automotive and its supplier industries, household technology, the furniture industry, aerospace and commercial vehicle technology. An essential part of its success is technical sales. The experts support companies worldwide in designing the right solution precisely for their application.
Anyone who wants to survive in today's global competition not only needs high-quality products, but must also manufacture them economically. Automated processes optimise the value-added chain, increase productivity and reduce non-productive time and machine downtime. In quality control, fewer errors and rejects are the result, and product quality increases. At the same time, individual production of smaller quantities is possible with the parts costs of large-scale production. In order for the systems to deliver such top performance, they must be precisely matched to the respective requirements. The experts at DALEX GmbH know exactly what is required. From the very beginning, companies worldwide have competent specialists at their side with the technical sales department to design an individual system exactly for their requirements.
"In order to develop customised plants with rationalised processes, a deep understanding of the ramified interrelationships in the manufacturing processes is indispensable. This applies not only to the internal design department, but especially to our professionals on site who are in close dialogue with our customers. Every project is different and has its own peculiarities. The 'sales person' must know what he is dealing with so that he can advise and support the customer properly. So they are the contact person for all technical matters - before, during and also after the investment in one of our systems," says Christoph Desch, sales manager at DALEX GmbH.
Close cooperation at all levels
DALEX develops and builds special systems with a high degree of automation for a wide range of applications. Even though welding technology has been the main focus up to now - hardly surprising with more than 100 years of experience in this field - today the experts are increasingly designing complex production cells for the most diverse tasks. Over the years, they have built up a great deal of know-how in automation technology - on the one hand by expanding the team with competent specialists from this field and on the other hand through a network of well-known and competent supply partners who contribute their knowledge to the overall solution.
"In addition to the actual processing machines and the semi-automatic or fully automatic feeding of the components, we develop solutions for interlinking the systems, in which many other work steps are integrated and taken into account. These include, for example, part buffers between the individual processing steps, smooth product changeovers, automated quality and dimensional checks as well as the detection of non-conforming parts and their immediate rejection. Component identification for traceability or process analysis is also a possible part of plant interlinking. In every project, we don't ask ourselves whether something is possible, but how we can best implement a solution so that it meets the requirements," adds Desch.
When designing the highly complex special system and integrating it into the existing workflow, the DALEX experts from technical sales are closely involved in the development process. Close cooperation with the respective client is crucial here. As the first interface, the technical sales department ensures that everything is tailored to the customer's individual requirements. At DALEX, they work closely with the experienced engineers and technicians in the modern and flexible project planning and design department and also with purchasing, work preparation and also suppliers in "simultaneous engineering".
Highest quality right from the start
DALEX applies the highest quality standards to every step of the process. To achieve this, the experts rely on a high level of vertical integration and high-quality components from renowned brand manufacturers. "Made in Germany" is the guiding principle to which DALEX is committed. Extensive quality assurance tests are also carried out during production. Before the systems leave the factory, they are tested for functionality in a test field. For complex robot lines, for example, cycle time evaluations and interfering edge examinations are validated by prior robot simulation.
The modern technology centre is a central component for quality assurance right from the start. Christoph Desch explains: "The T-Centre is an invaluable advantage, especially for systems around a welding task. We can carry out various welding tasks realistically in advance and determine the optimum process parameters, thus sounding out the most suitable solution. This is also possible at short notice and does not require a long lead time. We have everything ready to use on site. So we can carry out test and prototype welding under realistic conditions at any time. This ensures optimal transferability to production and eliminates errors before they occur."
Ready-to-use connected welding guns as well as spot, projection and roller seam welding machines in AC, medium-frequency and KE technology are available at the DALEX T-Center. Thanks to different welding control systems from renowned manufacturers, the experts can demonstrate the differences and select the best system and machine configuration for the task as well as create improvised welding tools to then achieve an optimal welding result with these auxiliary welding tools. Christoph Desch: "In this way, our welding experts find a solution for almost every welding task. Because innovative solutions are created in an innovative environment, like in our T-Center."
In addition to the possibility of renting the equipment there to produce initial samples and prototypes as well as small series, DALEX offers practical training at the T-Center to gain expertise, learn about new products and be able to operate one's own machine with the optimal settings. Christoph Desch: "On request, we also train our customers' employees on-site on existing equipment so that they can use the machines competently for the respective applications. This ensures quality standards in production and pays off in everyday production."
Network is constantly being expanded
Individual special systems for complex machining tasks, advice and support in all technical matters from the technical sales department, innovative developments and close cooperation at all levels for coordinated solutions as well as the highest quality standards and quality assurance - numerous factors are responsible for DALEX's success. In order to better serve its customers worldwide, DALEX is continuously expanding its network. For example, a new subsidiary in the USA is planned for 2023.
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The DALEX sales team with many years of experience finds the perfect and most economical solution for every welding application. The competent support from the very beginning strengthens the trusting and close cooperation with the customers.
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After competent consultation, the experts from DALEX perfectly matched the medium-frequency projection welding system to the application: it is equipped with the EPS drive system developed by DALEX, automatic feeding and handling robots for loading, unloading and depositing the components.
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An important part of finding the perfect system solution together with the user is the DALEX Technology Centre. Extensive welding tests with the modern and comprehensive equipment ensure the best possible welding result.
Photos: DALEX GmbH